[Canyon] Evening briefing, and preliminary finding - lightning

[Tom Fiddaman]

 From Custer-Gallatin National Forest on Facebook:

Bridger Foothills Fire Preliminarily Determined to be Lightning Caused
Bozeman, MT – The US Forest Service, with support from the Gallatin 
County Sheriff’s office, has completed the initial investigation to 
determine what started the Bridger Foothills Fire. The fire was first 
reported on September 4, 2020. Investigators have announced that the 
likely cause of the fire appears to be the result of a hold-over 
lightning strike. Investigators will continue following up on any 
additional leads received prior to releasing a final cause determination.
This fire’s cause was determined by investigating a variety of different 
factors including interviewing first account observers, conducting 
detailed field work, and analyzing weather data. A “hold-over” means 
that the actual ignition of the fire likely occurred during a storm late 
August that produced extensive lightning over Bozeman and the Bridger 
Mountains. The fire came to life on September 4th after several days of 
warmer temperatures.
“It’s very common for fires to appear several days to weeks after a 
lightning storm has passed through,” said District Ranger Corey 
Lewellen. Earlier on the same day, fire crews responded to another fire 
just north of the Bridger Foothills Fire that was also determined to be 
a hold-over produced from the same storm.

The 6pm briefing video is at:
https://www.facebook.com/CusterGallatinNationalForest/posts/2872940522987503

The following release from COAD details assistance options for tomorrow:
To continue addressing the needs of people directly impacted by the 
Bridger Foothills Fire, the Southwest Montana COAD (Community 
Organizations Active in Disaster), in coordination with Gallatin County 
Emergency Management, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office and the 
Custer Gallatin National Forest, will be offering numerous options for 
assistance to impacted residents on Saturday, Sept. 12:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/MTGNF/2020-09-04-1743-Bridger-Foothills-Fire/related_files/pict20200811-133953-0.pdf

Tom
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